Ready, Set, Simulate

If simulation is something you get excited about, then you won’t want to miss the NAFEMS Annual World Conference. The multi-day event is held in San Diego from June 21-24 and has a packed agenda with over 300 presentations, a handful of training courses and an exhibition area.

NAFEMS represents over 1,100 member organizations worldwide including software vendors, global manufacturing industry representatives and leading academic institutions

The theme for 2015 is “A World of Engineering Simulation.” The conference intends to initiate a discussion of how engineers and companies can keep up with the ever-evolving technology and concepts associated with simulation — from hardware to software and best practices. Additionally, it serves as a gathering for attendees figure out how their knowledge, processes, tools and corporate culture are best placed to take advantage of the continued evolution in simulation technology.

Training Topics

Before the conference commences, there will be an entire day devoted to training workshops on finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and simulation process and data management (SPDM). The courses are first come, first serve and will cover the topics at introductory and advanced levels. For those unable to attend, training will also be provided throughout the entire convention. Concepts being covered in these courses include:

• Dynamic FEA
• CFD for Structural Designers and Analysts
• Introduction to Practical CFD
• Structural Optimization in FEA
• Simulation Verification & Validation for Managers

The congress has presentations focused on dynamics, multiphysics, composites, systems engineering, manufacturing, acoustics, high-performance computing and other simulation-related topics. Discussions will also be available for analysis management, stochastics, industrial applications, composites, emerging issues and more.

3D Printing Presentations

Added to the agenda for 2015 is a forum on “Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing in Design and Engineering.” This collection of presentations relates simulation to 3D printing and covers materials, simulation needs, design opportunities and challenges, lightweighting and optimization.

Exhibitors span the simulation, design and computing markets. This year, attendees can check out Autodesk, CD-adapco, Dassault Systèmes, Mentor Graphics, MSC Software, Siemens PLM Software and others in the ongoing exhibition area.

To complement the presentations, the conference has a host of keynote speakers from universities and industry. Some include:

• Ferdinand Dirschmid, BMW Group, “The CFRP Lightweight Structure of the BMW i8”
• Klaus-Jürgen Bathe, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “Advanced Finite Element Analysis and its Future”
• Zlatko Penzar, Continental AG, “How Small (but fine) Simulations can also Radically Improve Industrial Products”
• Peter Coleman, Airbus Operations, “Reflections on SPDM for Collaborative, Multidisciplinary and Agile Aircraft Product Development”

This is the second time NAFEMS is coordinating with the Simulation Process & Data Management (SDPM) International Conference. This gathering is for industrial users, technology experts, academics and software vendors alike.

“The 2015 World Congress will feature a fantastic range of presentations from around the globe, covering every industry involved in FEA, CFD, SPDM and related technologies.” says Tim Morris, NAFEMS CEO. “We will be bringing the simulation community to San Diego in June, and with the associated training courses, workshops and discussion sessions, this is an event which will have real benefits for anyone involved in engineering analysis.”

The NAFEMS World Conference not only gives attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest technology, it is also a chance to spend several days steeped in discussion on the biggest industry trends, concerns and predictions for coming years.

Below you’ll find a video about the conference.

For more information and to view the agenda, visit NAFEMS.